Should The Vinkings Have Punted?

[mraynrand]

ya, a punt is the right call. you can't analyse just with stats, you have to look at how offense and defense are playing in particular game.

The Vikings knew how horrible the Packers run game is and that it couldn't possibly finish the game. They made the correct call.

[mraynrand]

GB 33 - MIN 27 Final ... too close for comfort.

NO 62 - INDY 7 Final .... The SAINTS ran up 62 POINTS I got that prediction right. That they would score the most points this week but 62 Points. Unreal !!!

can't you find a more appropriate thread in which to pat yourself on the back?

[ThunderDan]

can't you find a more appropriate thread in which to pat yourself on the back?

The really funny thing is that 11 out of the 21 people still active in pick-'em chose the Saints to score the most points.

[3irty1]

It didn't matter what they did. They'd choke away any lead at any time, it's just what they do.

[Harlan Huckleby]

As I said to my friends as it occurred.

[MadScientist]

Given their QB was 13-32, the odds were not great on him converting, and I don't think they wanted to put a 'you lose the game play' on the rookie when they had a reasonable chance of getting the ball back with enough time to score. The punt was the right call; glad Starks made it not work out for them.

[SkinBasket]

No.

[Lurker64]

Punting was the correct call at the time, I'd just like to know where the Packers found a running game in that situation...

[denverYooper]

Given their QB was 13-32, the odds were not great on him converting, and I don't think they wanted to put a 'you lose the game play' on the rookie when they had a reasonable chance of getting the ball back with enough time to score. The punt was the right call; glad Starks made it not work out for them.

After the game I was surprised to see Ponder as 13/32. Maybe it seemed much better because 7 of those were conversions on 3rd, 6 of them on 3rd and 6+. He also scrambled for 12 yards on another.

His other 6 completions, 72 yards (1st), 2 yd TD, 13 yds (1st), 15 yds(1st), 24 yd TD, 0 yds

Talk about making the most of his 13 completions: 10 first downs, 2 TD, and only 1 meaningless dumpoff to AP (0 yards).

[Guiness]

I think they had to. Not because it was necessarily the correct decision for the situation, but because they had a rookie QB out there in a heck of a situation.

If McNabb was in the game, the decision might have been different. Not because he's better, but because he's a vet who wouldn't be rattled.

[Fritz]

I think you decide on third down that you're all in, then try for a five or six yard completion on third so as to make fourth manageable.

[KYPack]

You have to punt in that situation.

Do you have a D and ST unit?

If so, let them chip in and make the win with the rest of the boys.

[hoosier]

Kevin Kelley says "Hell, no, not even if they were facing 4th and goal on their own one-yard line."

[BobDobbs]

What Fritz said. The decision was made on third down. Also, If you don't make it we're already in field goal range even if the Vikes D holds us to 0 yards. A FG puts us up by nine and essentially ends the game. As a Packer fan do you feel more confident with Mason Crosby lining up for a fifty yarder or James Starks breaking off his longest runs of the day, when they know we're going to run it?

Down by 4 or even 5 I'd go for it, but not 6.

[sharpe1027]

They were on their own 36 yard line with 3 TOs and 2:37 to play.

I thought they were kidding themselves, but Advanced NFL Stats says it was nearly a wash.

http://www.advancednflstats.com/2011...ve-punted.html

Given Crosby is on the Packer's team, the punt was the right option. Regardless of whether they go for it and fail to convert or punt, they still need to stop the Packers from getting a first down. If they do that, they get the ball back in either situation...unless you have a kicker that thinks a 50 yard field goal in a dome is automatic.